Thousands of luxury items seized from Tunisia's ousted ex-president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali have been put up for auction.

Supercars, antiques, art, jewellery and ornaments are among the items that are set to go under the hammer to raise cash for the government.

 

It is hoped the sale could raise up to 10m euro (£8.2m).

Government minister Tarek Dhyab said: "This is only 20 to 30% of (Ben Ali's) possessions. I say poor Tunisia, it was controlled by a gang leader - not someone fit to lead a country."

All of the money raised by the auction will be added to the government budget.

Ben Ali fled into exile in Saudi Arabia when protests swept Tunisia in early 2011, as the Arab Spring uprising gained momentum.